Beauty and the Baron

by Deborah Hale

Could She Defeat His Darkness and Bring Him Back to Life?Handsome rakehell turned scarred recluse Lord Lucius Daventry had returned from battle intent on forgetting the past. Yet once home, Lucius was presented with one final marry Angela Lacewood and grant his ailing grandfather's dying wish. Or at least pretend to marry. But the young beauty he remembered was now an exquisite woman. A woman strong enough to breach the walls he hid behind and steal his heart.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Beauty and The Beast, Regency, Historical Fiction, Fiction

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Alba Turunen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Estrellitas. Esperaba bastante del libro porque la historia del héroe torturado siempre es atractiva en la novela romántica, pero aunque el planteamiento ha sido bueno, la historia ha sido sosa y no ha cumplido las expectativas.

El barón de Daventry fue antaño un hombre atractivo y con una gran vida por delante, pero la batalla de Waterloo lo dejó con profundas cicatrices, físicas y psicológicas. Lleva tres años oculto en Helmhurst, la residencia familiar, donde vive con su abuelo, el conde de Welland.

Angela Lacewood vive en el campo y de la caridad de sus tíos. Ella y su hermano eran hijos de un militar destinado a la India, pero quedaron huérfanos muy jóvenes y tuvieron que volver a Inglaterra. Pese a todo, la presencia de los primos pobres siempre fue un lastre para la familia y Angela se conformaría con cualquier cosa que cambiase sus circunstancias.

Lucius, lord Daventry, se entera un día de que a su abuelo le queda poco tiempo de vida y aunque no puede decirse que él haya tenido una vida en los últimos años, oculto su aspecto bajo una máscara, lo que no quiere es decepcionar a su abuelo. Así que se le ocurre un plan que implica a Angela.

Aunque Lucius y Angela no han sido presentados formalmente, ambos saben de la existencia del otro porque Angela ha pasado largas tardes en casa del conde de Welland, visitando al anciano y haciéndole compañía. De ésta manera, Lucius le pedirá a Angela que finja ser su prometida durante el tiempo de vida que le quede a su abuelo, para darle a éste una alegría. A cambio, Lucius pagará la comisión y el uniforme que desea el hermano de Angela, que es convertirse en militar y seguir los pasos de su padre en la India.

A regañadientes, Angela acepta, pero sólo por su hermano, y por hacer feliz al anciano conde. A partir de aquí los protagonistas emperazarán una amistad que irá poco a poco hasta que lleguen a enamorarse.

El problema con el libro es que es bastante soso y el romance no es muy concluyente, por decir casi inexistente. Angela no pretendía enamorarse de Lucius, pero lo consigue. Y Lucius se tiene en tan poco, que no es capaz de darse la oportunidad de amar, cree que Angela merece a alguien entero capaz de amarla, y no al oscuro Lord Lucifer, así que pondrá todo tipo de trabas para que su engañoso compromiso no llegue a más.

Pues eso, que el libro no tiene mucho más a parte de esto. El personaje de Angela es lo que más me ha gustado, tiene una frescura y una desenvolvencia increíble, pero a Lucius con su reticencia no he sido capaz de hacerme con él. Una pena, porque a toda lectora de romántica le encanta enamorarse del protagonista, pero en éste caso, no ha sido posible.

[Christy Stewart · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing came off as if the author was shaking you and insisting you feel sexual tension and romance; but you inevitably just get a headache.

[Cheryl Mclaws · Rating 1 out of 5]

So boring! I'm only on page 60 but I have no desire to continue. I'm bored with the characters and the story. There's nothing holding my attention. I'm disappointed.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good reading.

[Parparak Pink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. One of the best Beauty and the beast genre books ever. Loved it and recommend it to all.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this box of Harlequin historicals from the 1990s-2000s for like $15 on Etsy. I thought it’d be fun to review them as I make my way through the box. I’m starting with the one at the top which was Beauty and the Baron.

Characters - meh…was hoping for a little more depth of character development from our MMC but alas, he was just kind of an ass throughout. …and of course still super hot despite his severe war wounds which were never really described in any sort of detail other than he wore a mask and they were shocking! Our FMC and one of the side characters were the only reason I didn’t stop at page 50 AND the only reason I was generous with my stars. She was (of course) drop dead gorgeous and overly described with adjectives. She thought she was a hideous unlovable she beast, which always makes me a little crazy but I digress. Her bubbly and honest personality did make up for it. The meddling grandpa was pretty cute too.

Plot - was in all honesty all over the place. I was expecting a Beauty and the Beast retelling and well, I did get that but then about half way it went Phantom of the Opera, 3/4 in it switched to a Cinderella theme, and then last like 50 pages or so took a hard right into Cyrano de Bergerac. Pick a retelling and stick to it. I’m in one of those whiplash collars now.

Why 2 stars? Well, even though the book wasn’t particularly good, I was unable to put it down because I wanted to see where this train wreck would end up. I’ve not read anything else by this author but I do think if she hired a good editor in the last 20 years since Beauty and the Baron was released, she’d be a solid read.

[Sw3 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting. It’s Beauty & BeastxCinderella but also sorta Phantom of Opera.

There is no warning for the changing POVs. And my TOC was in some sort of Chinese script.

There's a lot of religion in here, but it's not preachy. It's hard to explain. It's a bit off putting.

Not sure how I feel about the casual approach to domestic violence and PTSD.

The relationship evolves in a very haphazard way. The two never really have any serious heart-to-heart conversations, so it all feels very shallow. Most of the "conflict" feels fake and forced because it is all due to these critical conversations not happening.

It was really underhanded what happened with the vicar. It left me feeling very icky about all the characters. Though I did enjoy the h's outburst.

There is one sex scene. That and the second significant makeout session takes place after another character dies. It's really tasteless.

Disappointed that this didn't turn out better because the plot was very compelling.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a nice, fast-paced book this is. We have a tormented hero, a tender-hearted heroine and a deal to make an old man happy. They decide to engage for the earl's sake, but we can see how Lucius struggles with his own growing feelings towards Angela. When the earl finally dies, it's when the book becomes emotional, in my humble opinion. So sweet, intense and dark at the same time.

[Christy Peterson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I realized half way through that this wasn't a clean romance. The descriptions were getting more than sensually descriptive about the attraction. I remember I was looking for a title of the same name, but different clean romance author.
This romance was all about lust and attraction on her part. He, on the other hand has something to be attracted to.
It was seriously tacky that the premarital sexual encounter happened after the death of someone. Like right after. The author tried to justify it, but there is none. Just no. That's where I stopped reading.

[Nichola Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read this genre for a while but this book was a gem. What started as a typical historical romance took a twist just before the resolution and provided a lovely ending that wasn’t contrived. Would definitely recommend

[Elisa Vangelisti · Rating 3 out of 5]

L’inizio mi ha catturata, poi – pian piano – l’interesse è andato scemando. Non so nemmeno io perché. È scritto bene. Ha un senso. Ma manca di qualcosa. Lui è ferito e porta una maschera, si sente indegno nel corpo, ma ancor più nel cuore. Lei è una benefattrice senza mezzi, usa solo il cuore. L’amore fra diversi mi convince di nuovo: lui ha un cuore inutile, lei non lo risparmia per nessuno. Ma il percorso intrapreso per unirsi è troppo lento e poco appassionante. Peccato.

[R. Pion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and has a darker side but worth the read.

[Cherry-Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to read a period novel where the woman seemed much stronger than the male. The Duke was a bit difficult to persuade but in the end she got her way...lol!

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read, entertaining enough !

[Amanda Mantonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a beauty and the beast story despite the title.

Sweet fluffy regency period romance. Main characters show growth, and some really fun side characters.

[Camila · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 de 5

[Karine · Rating 4 out of 5]

C'est gentil, divertissant et après tout, on ne demande rien d'autre.

[Priscilla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Comprei pela capa.

Que decepção... os personagens são bem construídos, mas a trama é uma salada de fruta entre A Bela e a Fera, e Cinderela.

Dispensável.

[A · Rating 1 out of 5]

Im lost, confused and pretty amazed on how this book has any 5⭐️

Just from the start they are thirsting for each other and next chapter they just..idk anymore

[Ayelén · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gusto. Hubiera dado nas contenido al final, tal vez la esperada boda y terminarlo ahí. Pero estuvo bien🫰🏻

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Angela... she and her brother were orphaned (her parents dying in India) and taken in by her uncles family... where she wasn't quite treated as badly as Cinderella, but it was clear they were a burden and not quite as good as ... but she makes the best of things, and makes friends & is of help to many in Welland - including the elderly Earl...

Lucius (aka Lord Lucifer)...the Earl's grandson, 3 years back from war where he lost an eye and his left side of his face is scarred. As a young, handsome, virile man, he had his choice of women and exploited it unrepentedly. He wears a leather mask to cover that side of his face... and as he has trouble sleeping at night, he sleeps days, keeps to himself, wanders at night - often going to a hilltop tower where he has his telescope set up... but his habits have made him feared by the village.

and the Earl's doctor tells Lucius that his grandfather only has 3 months to live... and the Earl has made it clear he would be happy if Lucius and Angela were to marry... so Lucius goes to Angela, surprising her when she returned to her house from gardening, having closed the curtains to darken the room... and in an indirect, somewhat cagey way, he asks her to accept an engagement (but not marriage - he has no intention of marrying ever)... and he offers to pay for a commission for her brother to join his father's Indian regiment as tradeoff. Angela refuses the buy off of her brother, but in the interest of the Earl's happiness, agrees to the engagement.

And they become friends, she follows him to the tower, wanting to know what he does at night = and they share the constellations... and he is renewed by her... they share a few kisses... and though they both consider a true wedding, she is not sure of his feelings, and he does not feel worthy of her. On the night of the earl's death, she invites him into her bed j- of course a wonderful night of passion and deflowering. But when they awaken, his mask is gone, and her startled initial reaction reminds him why he is not good enough... The earl left her enough money to be independent...

She hangs on, refusing to break the engagement and continuing to visit him, waiting for him to find peace... but he starts to throw her at the vicar - and then starts to write poems and letters that express his heart, but having the vicar rewrite and give them as if from him... she is torn between the vicar's letters and him... but when she finds out he was the one to actually write the letters, she is angry, and breaks the engagement.... and goes to Bath for 6 weeks... but when she realizes that no one else interests her... and she rereads the letters, she goes home... in her absence Lucius has taken up her visits and has found a measure of peace... and when she expresses her heart, he can do no less but take it this time... ahhhhh

[Lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very much an impulse buy for me. I was browsing my local used bookstore and saw it on the shelf next to a book I had wishlisted. So without further ado I picked it up to buy as well. I'm very happy I did as I think this was a well written 'Beauty and the Beast' romance.

Poor Angela--literally, she is the poor relation staying with her Aunt and Uncle. In an effort to be useful and not turned out she is at their beck and call, making few demands of her own and resigning herself to her lot in life. Lucius however turns that all upside down. She gave up all her dreams of finding a man to love her--didn't she?

I thought both leads were vastly entertaining. Despite their argumentative natures--the only thing they both agreed upon at first was that they loved the Earl, Lucius' grandfather and Angela's friend--it was fun to watch Lucius grumble and growl. Or Angela get into a tizzy. Their interactions were heated, tense and passionate. I was a little uneasy about their plan to dupe the Earl, especially after he expressed such joy over their finally seeing sense (he was playing matchmaker), but the Earl acknowledged that he knew they weren't madly in love. So I felt better for it.

We don't see very much of Angela's Uncle and Aunt, not until much closer to the end and I'm glad they were only briefly shown. Extremely aggravating and annoying, greedy and tactless...the list of their sins is numerous. The poor Reverend is perhaps dealt with the worse. He really did seem like such a nice fellow, but maybe that is what was his downfall. Lucius made it seem like such a good plan, that it was all for Angela's good, that I guess the Reverend just blinded himself to the obvious disinterest and distaste Angela felt (not for him, she liked him as a friend, but for what the plan was).

A fun quick read I recommend to anyone who likes Regency romances.

[Mackenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Lord Lucius Daventry returns to England after the war, he is scarred inside and out. Spending time in the country as a recluse with his beloved grandfather, Lucius prefers to be up during the night with his favorite hobby astronomy and sleep during the day. His grandfather becomes special to next door neighbor, Angela Lacewood who after a hard childhood has come to live out her spinsterhood with her aunt and family who don't really want her at all!

Lucius is informed that his grandfather only has months to live and to make them happy ones, he persuades Angela to become his pretend fiancee. Over the summer, they begin to fall in love with each other, even with Lucius pushing her away and then doing something nice for her just because he himself is drawn to her.

When his grandfather dies, things become complicated and Angela, too confused and angry leaves for a few months. Upon her return, she learns that Lucius is more changed than she believes him to be, and together they begin again.

Nice light read, but as the story has sort of been done before without too many twists and turns, it was easy to put down and not think about until I wanted to go back to reading once again. I really wanted Lucius to fight for her better. The last quarter of the book after the grandfather dies sort of dragged out for me.

[Karine Darnessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ayant beaucoup aimé voir adoré et eu un gros coup de coeur pour la trilogie des gentlemen à marier de cette auteure, je me suis laissé tenter par cette histoire-ci, me disant que je ne risquais pas grand chose.
Et je ressors finalement assez contente de cette lecture. Même si j'ai tiqué sur certaine phrase faisant très vieillotte, dans l'ensemble j'ai apprécié cette histoire. Nous avons d'un côté Angela (qui porte très bien son prénom car elle est gentille , serviable et prend soin de son prochain. Et de l'autre Lucius blessé au visage pendant la guerre de Waterloo et donc en partie défiguré et qui tel un ours reste dans sa tanière et ne sort que la nuit, profitant du calme et de la pénombre de sa demeure. Au milieu se trouve le grand -père de Lucius qui aimerais bien voir son petit- fils épouser notre petite Angela.
Comme dans toute bonne romance historique , ce ne sera pas tout beau et rose. Surtout à cause de l'entêtement de notre Lord Lucifer ( grosse tête de mule en puissance).
Pour finir, j'ajouterais que ces retrouvailles avec cette auteure ce sont bien passés même si j'ai trouvé a un certain moment une longueur dans le récit et que j'aurai voulu que les événements s'enchaînent beaucoup plus vite.
Un bon roman mais qui ne sera pas inoubliable.

[Marisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bonita historia con una máscara

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really don't understand the negative reviews I've seen for this book. Okay, it wasn't mind blowingly spectacular but I'm not sure any historical romance books ever are that way. They're the chick-flics of the book world and let's all admit it, chick-flics aren't mind blowingly awesome either.

Deborah Hale did a lovely job creating an interesting storyline that is tragic, fairly comedic, and romantic. I enjoyed the characters of the Earl, Angela, and Lucius as they all played the plot well. The fact that this the plot is based after the Battle of Waterloo, I felt that Hale did an amazing job with PTSD when it came to characters who had been in battle.

Beauty and the Baron isn't a awesome form of literature but I generally don't think many Harlequin novels are. However, this book was a lovely read to indulge in my romantic side.

[Methos · Rating 2 out of 5]

ero partita convintissima di dare 5 stelline tanto la storia mi aveva entusiasmata, ma andando avanti con la lettura mi sono dovuta ricredere. gli ultimi capitoli sembrano essere stati messi per allungare il libro. i personaggi tormentati hanno un senso e sono anche ben delineati, ma quando alla fine i protagonisti, innamorati persi, si allontanano e lui si trasforma in un Cyrano per far innamorare la lei di turno di un altro...senza contare i di lei sospiri per quelle lettere che dovrebbero essere di un uomo che non le interessa e che ha rifiutato...non ha senso! il vecchio conte è forse l'unico personaggio che mi è piaciuto dall'inizio alla fine senza alcuna remora! per il resto mi è scaduto proprio all'ultimo...peccato...

[Paula-O · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was an old book that had got pushed aside that I decided to read because I like the author Deborah Hale, Beauty and the Baron. I like this type of story. The Baron had been in the war and had facial scars that he kept hidden and became reclusive after returning home. His grandfather and a young woman that befriended him became close over the yrs Lucious was gone. Grandfather schemed to have his grandson and this young woman spend time together hoping for a match. I liked the fact that tho he tried to keep his heart from caring, he could not and the young woman became his "Angel". a good story Deborah.

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, lost interest about a quarter of the way in. I liked the H and Hr interations at first then they changed into different people. I liked it initially because it was different than other romances but then it fell into the normal cliches which caused the rest of the book to ring false. Not worth the reading time.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the Heroine. She is great strong and kind. She was determined to win the hero no matter how longit took him to realize he needed her too. The story was good adaption. There were a few parts that were a bit long winded and felt as if they were not so relevant. But the book is a fantastic Beauty and Beast story